Employee Elections
Elections for the employee-selected members of the Civil Service Commission and Public Safety Civil Service Commission
The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for administering the elections for the employee-selected members of the Civil Service Commission (as directed by SMC 4.04.250) and the Public Safety Service Commission (as directed by SMC 4.08.040).
The next regular elections will be held November 2 - 6, 2026.
The Notices of Election and Calls for Candidates can be found here:
All employees who are covered by one of the Civil Services are eligible to:
- Propose themselves as a candidate for the employee-elected Commissioner position by filing a Declaration of Candidacy during the week of October 5 - 9, no later than 5 p.m. Friday, October 9
- Vote for the employee-elected Commissioner
By clicking on each commission name above, you will be directed to the website, where you can find additional information about the commissions.
Election Timeline
Sep. 8 - 25 Notification period, candidate information sessions held
Oct 5 - 9 Candidacy Week (filing period for Candidacy Declarations)
Oct. 9, 5 p.m. Deadline to submit Candidacy Declaration forms, voter pamphlet statement, and photo to Office of the City Clerk
Oct. 26 Ballots, instructions, and voter pamphlets mailed to eligible voters’ home addresses
Nov. 2 - 6 Election Week – ballots returned by mail or completed online
Nov. 16 or earlier Election results certified by the City Clerk
Nov. 16 or earlier Candidates notified of election results by City Clerk
Election Rules
The Civil Service and Public Safety Civil Service employee elections are governed by the Seattle Municipal Code and the election rules adopted by the Office of the City Clerk, most recently updated in 2023.
The full rules can be found here:
- Current Civil Service Commission election rules
- Current Public Safety Civil Service Commission election rules
Questions about the Commissions and the role of the commissioner can be directed to sarah.butler@seattle.gov, or (206) 586-1991.
Questions about the election can be directed to the Office of the City Clerk at ann.vuong@seattle.gov or (206) 233-3896.